Restoration of the 53 coins of the Portitxol Treasure has concluded
The preliminary study concludes that they were minted between the last half of the 4th century and the first years of the 5th century AD.
Tuesday 1st August 2023
Mike Smith
The Valencian Institute of Conservation and Restoration (IVACR+i) has confirmed that its specialists have completed the restoration work on the set of 53 Roman coins that were found underwater in the Portitzol zone by César Alcalá and Luis Lens.
The work has recovered all the splendour of the coins, despite initial specialist concerns about the amount of marine incrustation covering them, after analysis using electron microscopes concluded that the covering was of calcium, iron and other chemical elements.
The specialists cleaned the coins using ultrasonic baths before being dried under controlled temperature conditions with the adhesions cleaned using mechanical means. The gold was then analysed using X-ray fluorescence, allowing the specialists to determine the characteristics of the metal as well as information about their origin and minting.
A preliminary study has concluded that the 53 gold coins, called ‘Solidus’, were minted between the last half of the 4th century AD and the early 5th century AD in various workshops in Constantinople, Milan, and Trier, by the emperors Valentinian I, Valentinian II, Theodosius, Acardius, and Honorius (both sons of Theodosius).
Now the analysis and restoration work has been completed, the IVACR+i has transferred the 53 coins to Xàbia for display in the Soler Blasco Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum.
A Golden Discovery
In the summer of 2021, César Alcalá and Luis Lens found quite by chance what appeared to be eight gold coins whilst diving in the Portitxol area. The importance of the find led the two discoverers to hand them over to the local town hall and the Soler Blasco Museum.
Their discovery was communicated to the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and, after verifying its importance, an underwater excavation campaign was planned at the site, which was carried out in collaboration with the municipal museum and the University of Alicante. The excavations uncovered more coins, and all 53 were handed over to the IVCR+i for their proper restoration.
The Department of Culture will study how to showcase these coins so that residents and visitors can enjoy such a relevant find.
